Marigold
Tagetes erecta / patula
Family Asteraceae
Marigolds are the rare bedding flower with a working job: French marigold roots genuinely suppress root-knot nematodes, which is why vegetable growers have interplanted them for generations. The unkillable gold-and-mahogany bloom from spring to fall is almost beside the point — almost.
From six-inch border dwarfs to three-foot Day of the Dead giants, they draw bees and butterflies while asking for nothing but sun. Cheap, cheerful, and genuinely useful is a rare combination in any plant. Edge the vegetable beds with them and let the roots work.
Full Sun
Low water
Fast growth
Attracts butterflies
Attracts bees
None winter chill
From the print shop
Growing marigold? Hang it.
Our Plant Library collection carries marigold — Tagetes erecta, print Nº 293, “Marigold.”
526 designsfrom $12.99white or black backgroundmatte poster, unframed
Will it thrive where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what marigold actually needs.
Life cycleAnnualMarigold · Common problems
Common marigold problems
Pests
3 problems on file
- Spider Mites in drought
- Slugs on seedlings
- Cyclamen & Broad Mites
Diseases
3 problems on file
- Botrytis on spent blooms
- Damping Off
- Aster Yellows
Marigold · Growing & propagation
Growing marigold
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low-Moderate
Soil- Any · pH 6.0 - 7.0
Fertilizer- Little
Lean soil, more bloom
Pruning- None
Deadhead weekly for nonstop bloom; save dried heads — the seed is viable and obvious.
Spacing- 8-12 in
How to plant & propagate marigold
Maturity- 50-70 days
From seed- Direct-sow or start 6 wks early; easy
- Propagate
- From seed
Marigold · Companion plants
Marigold companion plants
Good companions
- EVERYTHING — roots suppress root-knot nematodes; plant throughout the veg garden
Marigold · Calculators & field guides
A little help in the garden.
Marigold · Yearly calendar
The marigold year, month by month
Jan
No calendar activity is listed for this month.
BloomBloomMay
What each band means
- Bloom — flowers open — pollinators working, frost on blossoms is the danger.
These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.
Marigold · Ecology & uses
Ecology & uses
Tagetes erecta / patula
Marigold in the garden system
- Herbaceous layer annual
- Nectary/insectary
- Attracts
- Butterflies, Bees
Moisture- Upland / dry
Deer- Browsed
Protect young plants
Origin- Introduced
What marigold is grown for
✓ Not known to be toxic
Use- Companion planting
- Use
- Borders
- Use
- Day of the Dead
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
Marigold · Varieties & cultivars
Choosing a marigold variety
French (small, bushy); African (pompom giants); 'Lemon Gem' (edible signet)
Sources & plant identity
Know what you’re growing.
See where the knowledge comes from.
Marigold
Tagetes erecta / patula
The plant, at a glance.
- Botanical name
- Tagetes erecta / patula
- Plant family
- Asteraceae
- Growth habit
- Annual
- Origin
- Introduced
- USDA plant symbol
- TAER
- Invasive risk
- Low
Hardiness, size and timing vary with your cultivar, soil and climate.
Rooted in research.
University extension research, brought together with hands-on growing experience at Story Thyme Farms.
Questions
Marigold questions, answered straight.
Is marigold safe for kids and pets?
Marigold is commonly eaten and isn't considered toxic, but "commonly eaten" isn't a guarantee for any particular person or animal — allergies, quantity, and which part you eat all matter. Never eat a plant you haven't positively identified, and check with a vet before letting pets or livestock graze anything new.
What grows well with marigold?
Proven companions include everything — roots suppress root-knot nematodes; plant throughout the veg garden — the full companion list, and what to keep away, is in the Growing tab above.
How do you propagate marigold?
From seed.
Elsewhere
Where marigold sits in the library.
Sunflower
Zinnia
Peony
Daylily